MAC MONDAY | Playland Lipsticks Swatches & Review

24 April 2017

Purchased by me/Contains affiliate links

Released in 2014, MAC's Playland collection was made with the bright lipstick lover in mind. It contained six lipsticks alongside a selection of co-ordinating Lipglasses, pigments, Casual Colours and Chromagraphic pencils. With the exception of Playland, the lipstick colours were all very 'me' shades so I have gradually picked them all up. I couldn't resist Playland for long though, as the idea of a gold lipstick really intrigued me! Would you wear one? Keep on reading to see swatches of everything.

Formula overview:
The Playland lipsticks are exclusively Amplifieds and Frosts, typically not my favourite of MAC's many lipstick finishes, but they absolutely knocked it out of the park with this collection! My reasoning for often shying away from these finishes is that the Frosts can occasionally be drying, while the Amplifieds' slip and shine makes them prone to feathering on me.
MAC lipsticks have a vanilla scent.

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Playland

Playlandis described as a 'frosted yellow gold' and has a Frost finish. This is an interesting shade, probably created more with layering in mind - that's why I picked it up, anyway, albeit in a sample tube from TheBodyNeeds, before they shut up shop (RIP). Playland applies reasonably evenly although it is quite sheer and the Frost texture causes it to grab onto any uneven texture. I was surprised that it really didn't look that terrible when worn alone, not what I expected at all! Playland lasted five hours on me and wasn't drying.

Sweet Experience

Sweet Experienceis described as 'bright pink' and has an Amplified finish. I don't often reach for light pink lipsticks but this warm, cotton candy pink is just adorable, I absolutely love it. It sinks into liplines a little but I have no other complaints about the formula; it feels very comfortable on the lips and wears for five hours one me. There was some light pink staining after the colour wore off.

Toying Around

Toying Aroundis described as 'hot coral pink' and has an Amplified finish. Well, it's coral and if you're a regular reader of the blog then you'll know I've never met a coral MAC lipstick that I didn't like. I'm predictable that way but more importantly, it's a colour they do pretty darn flawlessly. Like its no doubt legions of dupes (hey, I said flawlessly, not uniquely), Toying Around applies and wears superbly, lasting six hours on me.

Happy-Go-Lucky

Happy-Go-Luckyis described as 'hot pink' and has an Amplified finish. Another one that's just too cute to resist. The Amplified finish gives it a more youthful vibe compared to similar permanent shades like Candy Yum Yum and Pink Pigeon (both matte) but streaks slightly due to the slipperiness of the formula. Not visible from a normal viewing distance and something I can easily look past but as usual, your personal preference may be different. Happy-Go-Lucky lasts six hours on me and stains pink.

Red Balloon

Red Balloonis described as a 'hot fuchsia' and has an Amplified finish. I'd call this more cerise than fuchsia but that's my only point of protest because everything else about Red Balloon is wonderful. Opaque finish, super smooth application and a six-hour wear time with some fading towards the end of wear. It wasn't drying, either.

Head in the Clouds

Head in the Cloudsis described as a 'red with pearl' and has a Frost finish. Compared to some of MAC's other shimmery reds it is sheerer (though it can be built to opacity as shown) and a little more slippery, causing it to feather very lightly on me. The colour is so cheerful and jewel-like, though, that I don't mind using a lipliner to sidestep those small niggles. Head in the Clouds lasts for five hours on me.